Hinged radiological film badge with fold-over film packet

ABSTRACT

A radiation monitoring film pack and a holder therefor are disclosed. The film pack has a wrapper with a flap extending from it for identifying data. The holder has means to hold the film pack, with suitable radiation filters, and a frame which overlies the film-holding structure and holds the flap framed on it with a surface visible on which the identifying data may appear.

United States Patent Inventor Robert J. Prest Concord, Mass.

Appl. No. 671,390

Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 534,255, ,I a n. 4,19%, Abandoned Filed Sept. 28, 1967 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Assignee Technical Operations Incorporated Burlington, Mass.

IIINGED RADIOLOGICAL FILM BADGE WITH FOLD-OVER FILM PACKET 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 250/83, 250/65, 250/66, 250/67, 250/68 Int. Cl G0lh 23/02, G01t 1/08 Field of Search 250/83 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,840,908 l/l 932 Lozier et a1 250/67 3,053,983 9/1962 Faulkner Jr. et al. 250/83ph 3,068,358 12/1962 Frungel 250/66 2,530,321 11/1950 Armstrong 250/68 Primary Examiner-Walter Stolwein Assistant ExaminerMorton 1. Promo Attorney-Alfred H. Rosen ABSTRACT: A radiation monitoring film pack and a holder therefor are disclosed. The film pack has a wrapper with a flap extending from it for identifying data. The holder has means to hold the film pack, with suitable radiation filters, and a frame which overlies the film-holding structure and holds the flap framed on it with a surface visible on which the identifying data may appear.

PATENTEU MAR 2 l97l 0073352 4 JOHN J.JONE5 DEC. 1 .(065

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SHEET 1 0F 2 JOHN J. JAMES DEC..I IQG INVENTOR ROBERT J. PRE5T ATTORNEY PATENTEDMAR 219m SHEET; 2 3.567.933

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yW {aw/way HINGED RADIOLOGICAL FILM BADGE WITH FOLD- OVER FILM PACKET This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 534,255 filed Ian. 4, 1966 now abandoned.

This invention relates to radiation monitoring film badges worn by people who spend time in the vicinity of radioactivity such as ionizing radiation or lower energy radiation that is capable of producing secondary ionizing effects. In particular it relates to film badges that are improved with respect to size, cost and adaptation to mass processing techniques.

E16. 1 is a full scale illustration of a typical prior art film badge. These badges are restricted in size and shape by the conventional use of dental X-ray film packs. These film packs have been used due to their ready commercial availability. While the desirability of a different type of film pack for badge use has been obvious for some time, there has been no system devised that would provide the desired advantages particularly without incurring intolerable costs in producing a new type of pack.

The size of the conventional badge is a problem for people whose greatest radiation exposure is at their hands for example. A smaller badge could be worn more readily as a finger ring or on a wrist strap. A very small amount of the film is actually used for determining radiation exposure and the excess film is needed to enable identification marking on the film. This is done for example using X-ray exposures through a stencil or the like so as to penetrate the pack. The dental films also require individual handling since they are not adapted for operation in continuous webs with accurate position information.

The present invention proposes a film pack of reduced size using strips of film adapted for splicing into reels for mass production processing. Sprocket apertures like those used in moving picture film are provided on the strips for accurate position information. Identification data is provided directly on the film strips with a marking material that does not interfere with the utilization of the film. An extended free flap of the pack wrapper provides a surface for external identification data and coacts with a unique holder or badge to provide readily visible identification without increasing the face area or reducing the effectiveness of the film. Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel radiation monitoring film holder or badge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiation monitoring film packet which is adapted for high speed mass processing.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a film badge in which the parts are arranged to fit together in a novel compact structure.

Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation ofa prior art film badge;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a film badge according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric projection showing a film holder or badge according to the invention in unfolded condition;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a low sensitivity film strip according to the invention;

FlG. 5 is a front elevation of a high sensitivity film strip according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of a film pack according to the invention with one corner folded over for descriptive purposes;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section taken along line 7-7 of H6. 2; and

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a film badge or holder according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a showing of prior art already mentioned. It shows in full scale a typical prior art badge. For comparison purposes FIG. 2 shows a badge in accordance with the present invention in a one-to-one scale as it is presently being made. The front elevation of FIG. 2 shows a frame member 10 containing a window 1 1 for viewing identification data 12 on the face 13 of a portion of a film pack supported in the frame. Measurements of FIGS. 1 and 2 will show that the surface area of the badge in accordance with the invention is about l /zsquare inches as compared to about 3% square inches of the prior art badge of FIG. 1.

A film holder in accordance with the invention is illustrated in an opened-up condition in FIG. 3 and comprises a first member 15 rectangular in shape and having side edges 16 and 17 therein relatively long as compared to the ends 18. Member 15 is suitably made of a rigid or semirigid material such as metal or certain plastics and contains one or more metallic filters that permit an energy independent system. In one preferred embodiment, member 15 is made of aluminum and has a first filter 20 of cadmium about fli-inch square and 1 mm. thick and a second filter 21 of copper about a i-inch square and 41 mm. thick. These dimensions are not critical to the invention and are set forth only to provide a complete disclosure of a specific embodiment. The aluminum of member 15, which may be about one-sixteenth of an inch thick. shields against the softest X-rays and lower radiation energy levels. The copper filter 21 shields against radiation below about 25 kilo-electron-volts energy. The cadmium filter 20 shields against substantially all radiation below about 50 kilo-electron-volts energy. The ends 18 of member 15 extend upward a small amount above the plane of member 15 providing support for a hinge connecting member 15 to a second member 22.

Second member 22 is rectangular in shape and similar to member 15 but somewhat smaller in rectangular dimensions. One specific embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3 uses a hinge made with pins extending through holes 23 in ends 18 and extending into an enlarged edge 25 of member 22. This hinge secures one edge of member 22 along edge 17 of member 15. Member 22 contains a cadmium filter 26 and a copper filter 27 substantially identical to filters 20 and 21, respectively, in member 15 and arranged to register precisely with filters 20 and 21 respectively when member 22 is folded across member 15. A window 28 is also suitably provided in member 22 for passing radiation having an energy below the penetration level for the aluminum.

A third member 10 is hinged to edge 16 of member 15 and incorporates the frame shown in FIG. 2 around an open win dow 11. Member 10 suitably carries spring metal clamping devices 31 so that when second member 22 is folded down across first member 15 and third member 10 is then folded across second member 22 clamping devices 31 are clamped on to edge 17 of first member 15 securing the assembly together (see FIG. 7). Third member 10 can be made of materials such as stainless steel, brass, copper, or other metals plated or otherwise. It may also be made of various other materials, such as plastic materials, suited as a decorative frame with means to secure the assembly together. While the first and second members 15 and 22 have been described as being made of aluminum, they can also be made of other materials providing the shielding effect of aluminum is supplied by other means, such as appropriate inserts, or a wrapping in the film pack.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate film strips 32 and 33 respectively to be utilized in the present invention. In'one embodiment these have been made identical to pieces of 16 mm. film sliced in half giving a width of about 8 mm. with sprocket apertures 35 along one edge for accurate positioning in processing equipment. For use in film badges in accordance with the present invention, each of the film strips is imprinted with identification data such as a serial number 36. This serial number is suitably typed, stamped, or printed on the film using a marking material. Marking materials commonly used in typewriter ribbons have been found suitable. Pigments in waxy binder materials are generally operative. Printing of data on these strips in the suggested way leaves a clear marking that is not necessarily indelible. However, as will be seen, the film strips are securely wrapped in a pack during use, and they can be handled automatically in processing equipment both before and after use. Thus no problem is encountered with deterioration or smearing of the markings. Film strips of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are illustrated as identical in size and shape; however, they are shown separately as having different respective sensitizations. Together their sensitivities are intended to cover ionizing radiation and Beta particles. Ionizing radiation as used herein is to be taken as including radiation that is capable of producing secondary ionizing effects. For example, the film strip in FIG. 4 may be highly sensitive so as to be capable of recording exposures as small as one millirem. Rem will be recognized as roentgen equivalent man. The film strip of FIG. 5 has a much lower sensitivity, for example, it is appropriately sensitive so as to show density variations with doses up to as much as 300,000 millirems. In use in a badge the two film strips are placed in register one on top of the other.

H6. 6 shows a wrapper made up of layers that are respectively reflective and absorptive of visible light. An interior layer 40 is suitably black cellulosic material while the exterior layer 41 may be a white cellulosic material. In a preferred embodiment a thin metal foil such as aluminum foil 42 is laminated between layers 40 and 41.

in making up the film pack at least one strip of film and preferably two strips, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, are positioned against the interior layer 40 of the wrapper and a portion of the wrapper 43 is folded over to envelop the film strips as shown at the left side of FIG. 6. The surface of interior layer 40 is desirably coated with a fusible plastic coating so that the edges of portion 43 may be heat sealed around film strips 32 and 33 providing a tightly sealed enclosure for the film strips completely opaque to visible light. A second portion 45 of the wrapper extends out from the enveloping portion 43 to form an identification-data member, as shown at the right side of FIG. 6 and can be imprinted on the exterior layer 41 with identification data such as illustrated in FIG. 2. The wrapper enveloping the film strips is then positioned in the badge or holder of H6. 3 as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. '7.

Cross section of FIG. 7 is enlarged for better illustration and is taken through line 77' of FIG. 2. Portion 43 of the film wrapper carrying film strips 32 and 33 is positioned on top of member and member 22 is folded up and over, completely covering portion 43. Extending flap portion 45 is then brought over on top of member 22 and is secured firmly in place by crossing frame member it) across it clamping the assembly together.

The badge assembly has been made with various means for attaching to a person. These means (not shown) include a finger ring, a tie clip, snaps for attaching to a laboratory smock or the like and a wrist band.

In film badges according to the present invention, substantially the entire viewable area of the badge is available at window ll for identifying information. The film strips which, as illustrated, can be as little as 8 millimeters wide, provide space along their entire lengths near a first edge for identification data and space along their entire lengths near the opposite edge for position indexing means. Adequate space is still available along the length of each strip between identification data and indexing means for radiation exposure measurements. However it is to be understood that neither the markings for data nor the indexing means need be of a form that interferes with exposure or exposure measurements.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the badge in which two members 150 and 220 (corresponding to members 15 and 22, respectively, in FIG. 3) are permanently fastened together.

These members provide a slotlike opening (not shown) between them, for reception of the film-enveloping portion 43 of the film package (see From. The identification-data member 45 can then be held between the one of film-holding members 220 and an apertured third member (corresponding to the apertured frame member 10 in FIG. 3),

which is hinged to the other of the film-holding members 159 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. The plastic material 0 which this badge is made is an absorber of the radiation sought to be monitored, and therefore takes part in the radiation monitoring function. Since the choice of filters will vary widely, one example being illustrated and described in detail in connection with FIG. 3, no specific example is illustrated here. However, one of the film-holding members 220 has an aperture 221 and a portion 222 of reduced'thickness in it, for use in the radiation monitoring function. These have been used in combination with metallic filters (not shown) inserted in pockets within the film-holding members and 220, as follows:

a. a filter of tin and lead combined;

b. a filter of aluminum adjacent the portion 222 of reduced thickness;

c. a filter consisting of the full thickness plastic of both members 150 and 220; and

d. a filter adjacent the aperture 221 consisting of the full thickness of one member 150 of the film-holding members.

A suitable plastics material is polypropylene, but this is exemplary only, since many suitable plastic materials are available.

While the invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover the invention broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A radiation monitoring film badge comprising:

a. a film strip sensitive to radiation;

b. a wrapper opaque to visible light completely enveloping said strip and having a flexible flap extending from said strip with a surface for identification data;

0. first means supporting that portion of said wrapper enveloping said strip, and containing at least one radiation filtering member; and

d. a second means containing an aperture, said second means being joined by hinge means to said first means and foldable across the side of said first means to secure said flap between a portion of first means and said second means with said surface for data visibly exposed through said aperture.

2. The combination defined by claim 1 wherein said first means comprises first and second body members defining an open-ended slot therebetween for receiving the portion of said wrapper containing said film strip.

3. The combination defined by claims 2 wherein said first and second body members are joined by second hinge means.

4. The combination defined by claim 2 wherein said first and second body members are integrally joined.

5. The combination defined by claim 2 wherein said film strip includes aligned perforations for enabling said film strip to be transported during processing thereof.

6. The combination defined by claim 4 wherein said film strip includes aligned perforations for enabling said film strip to be transported during processing thereof.

7. A film packet according to claim 2 in which said film means comprises two strips of photographic film, one of which has a substantially greater sensitivity to ionizing radiation than the other. 

1. A radiation monitoring film badge comprising: a. a film strip sensitive to radiation; b. a wrapper opaque to visible light completely enveloping said strip and having a flexible flap extending from said strip with a surface for identification data; c. first means supporting that portion of said wrapper enveloping said strip, and containing at least one radiation filtering member; and d. a second means containing an aperture, said second means being joined by hinge means to said first means and foldable across the side of said first means to secure said flap between a portion of first means and said second means with said surface for data visibly exposed through said aperture.
 2. The combination defined by claim 1 wherein said first means comprises first and second body members defining an open-ended slot therebetween for receiving the portion of said wrapper containing said film strip.
 3. The combination defined by claims 2 wherein said first and second body members are joined by second hinge meanS.
 4. The combination defined by claim 2 wherein said first and second body members are integrally joined.
 5. The combination defined by claim 2 wherein said film strip includes aligned perforations for enabling said film strip to be transported during processing thereof.
 6. The combination defined by claim 4 wherein said film strip includes aligned perforations for enabling said film strip to be transported during processing thereof.
 7. A film packet according to claim 2 in which said film means comprises two strips of photographic film, one of which has a substantially greater sensitivity to ionizing radiation than the other. 